The show will go straight to series, bypassing development and pilot production. Gotham was also ordered straight to series at Fox recently, but still produced a pilot and theoretically could have stopped there, with Fox paying a hefty penalty.

Here's how the show is described in the report:

Based on the characters from DC Comics, Supergirl will follow Kara Zor-El. Born on the planet Krypton, Kara escaped amid its destruction years ago. And since arriving on Earth, she’s been hiding the powers she shares with her famous cousin. But now at age 24, she decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and be the hero she was always meant to be.

The series will be a one-hour drama from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Berlanti and Ali Adler of Chuck and No Ordinary Family fame will write, while also serving as executive producers with Sarah Schechter.

They also note that it's unlikely Supergirl will share a continuity with Arrow and The Flash, but that Berlanti's involvement could make it plausible. We would add that the involvement of CBS, a part-owner in The CW with DC Entertainment owners Warner Bros., also contributes to the likelihood.

Whether Superman will be specifically referenced or depicted in the show is unknown. Although it would be difficult to ignore that elephant in the room, Warner Bros. Television have historically been reluctant to feature the same character on TV and the big screen at the same time.